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Skiing and snowshoeing

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Smiling boy holding snowshoesWoman cross-country skiing in forest

The following three parks offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing programs, when conditions allow. Contact the park before arriving for up-to-date conditions. See below.

Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo
Location: 625 Westmount Road North, Waterloo (Map)
  • Current Conditions: Please contact the park at the telephone number listed below for up-to-date conditions.
  • Phone: 519-884-6620
  • Email: LaurelCreekPark@grandriver.ca
  • Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
  • Hours of operation: From 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (weekdays and weekends).
  • Equipment available for rent on weekends only, when conditions are suitable:
    • Ski and snowshoe equipment are available for rent only on weekends and Family Day, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last rental at 4:00 p.m. No reservation required.
    • Full set of ski rentals (skis, poles and boots) - Adult set - $20, Child - set - $15
    • Snowshoe rentals - $11
  • Trails: 4.5 kilometres of groomed and trackset trails, from beginner to experienced. Download the Laurel Creek Park brochure, which includes a map.
  • Dogs: No dogs on ski and snowshoeing trails.
  • More information: Visit the Laurel Creek Park page.
Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, Paris
Location: 468 Pinehurst Rd. (formerly Highway 24A), 10 kilometres north of Paris and 12 kilometres south of Cambridge. (Map)
  • Current Conditions: Please contact the park at the telephone number listed below for up-to-date conditions.
  • Phone: 519-442-4721
  • Email: PinehurstLakePark@grandriver.ca
  • Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
  • Hours of operation: From 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (weekdays and weekends).
  • Equipment available for rent on weekends only, when conditions are suitable:
    • Ski and snowshoe equipment are available for rent only on weekends and Family Day, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last rental at 4:00 p.m. No reservation required. Note there is a limited supply of ski equipment available for rent.
    • Full set of ski rentals (skis, poles and boots) - Adult set - $20, Child - set - $15
    • Snowshoe rentals - $11
  • Trails: Classic cross-country skiing on four kilometres of groomed and trackset trails; three kilometres of skate skiing trails; five kilometres of showshoeing trails and two kilometres of plowed walking trails. Download a winter trail map.
  • Dogs: Pets must be leashed. No dogs on ski trails.
  • More information: Visit the Pinehurst Lake Park page.
Shade's Mills Conservation Area, Cambridge
Location: 450 Avenue Road, Cambridge (Map)
  • Current Conditions: Please contact the park at the telephone number listed below for up-to-date conditions.
  • Phone: 519-621-3697
  • Email: ShadesMillsPark@grandriver.ca
  • Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
  • Hours of operation: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekends from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Equipment available for rent on weekends only, when conditions are suitable:
    • Ski and snowshoe equipment are available for rent only on weekends and Family Day, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last rental at 4:00 p.m. No reservation required.
    • Full set of ski rentals (skis, poles and boots) - Adult set - $20, Child - set - $15
    • Snowshoe rentals - $11
  • Trails: 10 kilometres of groomed and track-set cross-country ski trails and a 2.5 kilometre snowshoe loop. Download the Shade's Mills Park brochure which includes a map. 
  • Dogs: Pets must be leashed. No dogs on ski trails.
  • More information: Visit the Shade's Mills Park page.

Trails at these parks are groomed and track-set for cross-country skiing, and the current condition of the trails will be marked as follows:

Recommended

  • The trail has been fully or partially groomed and/or track-set

Not Recommended (Indicates one or more of the following conditions)

  • Icy base (due to recent warm temperatures, rain or freezing rain)
  • Dangerous debris or obstacles on the trails
  • Some sections with patches that are more than 50% bare
  • A substantial snowfall has caused a delay in trail maintenance work

No Information (Indicates one or more of the following conditions)

  • Early in the season, the trails have not yet been mechanically groomed
  • Staff have not been on the trails since a recent, substantial snowfall
  • Staff have not been on the trails since a recent rainfall
  • Rapidly melting base has prevented staff from checking the conditions of the trails

Emergency Closure (Indicates one or more of the following conditions)

  • Emergency on the trail or in the park
  • High risk hazard on the trail or in the park, such as ice covered branches
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